Friday Find: Crochet A Rainbow

This week's Friday Find is a charity-type thing, wow that was specific.

The author of the wonderful (self-titled) website Sarah London has been running this shin-dig for a bit. She is accepting donations of Granny Squares to sew them together and make blankets for flood victims of Australia.

She has even provided step-by-step visual instructions here.

I simply love it when someone organizes something like this, a charity where tons of people contribute what they have and the people organizing it puts the pieces all together to make something beautiful. When you think about it, every person who organizes a charity does this, but with crafting projects it is a much more visual experience. (I am a very visual person)

Here's what I've been working on in my 'waiting time' this week:

You should use your extra yarn and whip up a few, if you have any extra yarn that is...

Friday Find: One Day Without Shoes

Lets start by saying I think TOMS shoes are adorable, no?

Lets also say that I need a pair, seriously, but can't see myself spending that much on a pair of sneaks right now. I'm not on a 'buy something awesome for me kick' at the moment.

The best thing about TOMS shoes is that for each pair they sell, they give a pair to a person/child in need of shoes. They give away a BRAND NEW PAIR.

On April 5th, 2011 they are encouraging everyone everywhere to spend One Day Without Shoes to boost awareness of those around the world that go without every single day. 

I have pledged to blog without shoes on April 5th, 2011, and hopefully I can do something a bit more influential without shoes, like have a party, or maybe just a playgroup... hahaha... without shoes. I need to do something good though, cause honestly, I live without shoes most days (do slippers count???) as soon as the weather is nice, I am sans shoes.

Friday Find: Emilynn Handcrafted Jewelry

Technically, it's still Friday, even though it feels like it is way past my bedtime today. I had the middle stage of an oral implant done today, so I'm still super sleepy. Therefore, please excuse anything that doesn't make any sense (including spelling...) haha.

I was browsing Etsy, favorite past-time...

What did I stumble upon?? This beautifully colorful array of handmade jewelry, also know as Emilynn Handcrafted Jewelry.

I am not a big jewelry buying person. Maybe because I have this whole lack of funding thing, and well, jewelry I don't even think is ON the totem pole. Or, maybe it's because I love so much of it that I can't decide what to get. Either way, it's tough for me to buy jewelry.

Back to what I found:

I mean, holy cow this is GORGEOUS!!  I think this is my favorite piece from her shop, the piece is called The Secret Garden. The photo is courtesy of Emilynn Handcrafted Jewelry, very obviously NOT mine... nother story.

The *two women who run the company are a mother daughter team. Mum, Roseanne, and daughter, Emily,* live in NSW Australia. And, I think I desperately need to go to Australia now, if this woman gets any of her inspiration from her surroundings, I think I want the same surroundings.

Simply Lovely!

*edited to correct owners names*

Friday Find: Fabric Organizers

Yay for the First Friday of FALL!!!

Needless to say, fall is my favorite season. I don't usually say autumn, not sure why... maybe it's because "happy autumn y'all" just isn't as cute as

Happy Fall Y'all!

On to the Friday Find!

Let me start by saying I wish I wish I had a ton of these!!! I just don't have a room for sewing yet, so no place for my stash to be pretty on these.

The Fabric Organizers are made by DeNiece's Designs.  They come in 2 sizes, large and small, and can hold lots of fabric! For all the specifics head over to their website: The Fabric Organizer.

(Photo from The Fabric Organizer website)

They even have a video with how they put their fabric on them.

All I have to say is: awesomeness!

Friday Find: The Stay Pincushion

This weeks Friday Find is another project. I just happened to stumble upon it, and really think it's quite awesome!

Madame Samm over at Sew I Quilt has a tut for this pin cushion that rests on the arm of your sewing machine.

(Photo courtesy of Sew I Quilt)

I really think this needs to go on the "to-make" list... maybe add some pretties to it, like maybe a wool flower.

Friday Find: Sew a Straight Line

In case you haven't heard, the lady behind Sew a Straight Line is pretty awesome. She has committed to challenge herself to step up her sewing skills by sewing through an old college sewing textbook.

I think that is awesome!! Maybe I should look around for a sewing textbook, I know I could use some up-ing of my skills ;)

She's got some pretty awesome tutorials too, like: Star Pin Cushion, Rolled Kitchen Towels, To Make a Fitted Diaper, and The Domesticated Skirt.

Mind you, this is just a few of her tutorials.

The best best thing about Sew a Straight Line, is that she has a post with link parties for each day of the week! How awesome is that?!

So, hop on over and check out Sew a Straight Line.

Friday Find: Tea Rose Home

It's FRIDAY!!!

I can't tell you how much I love the internet, or how much I love blogs. Sometimes when I read someone else's blog I almost feel like the author wrote it just for me. Does anyone else ever feel that way??

Well, Sachiko over at Tea Rose Home did just that, she wrote a blog post just for me (not literally).

Her post titled "Clothes - Memory Blanket - and Mini Clothes" was incredible. So wonderful that I felt it needed to be shared!

(This photo is direct from Tea Rose Home blog)

Friday Find: Geta's Quilting Studio

I haven't done a Friday Find in, well, forever it seems. Having 4 kids sneeks up on you sometimes, and has a tendency to obliterate things like regular blogging, at least when only 1 of your 4 is in school.

So, on to my incredible find!

Geta's Quilting Studio had a wonderful tutorial for a quilted basket. I think her design is adorable, and her fabric choice is great. Definitely going in my "projects I must make category."

I mean, just look at how cute her basket is:

Friday Find: Smitten Mittens by Lovedriven

Back to a good Friday Find, Lovedriven!

I got an email from Etsy, and low-and-behold, this is the very first thing I saw when I opened it:

How adorable is that?!?! I mean, seriously!

I have seen quite a few of these mittens for holding hands in, patterns for them, and whatnot, but I have never seen one like this.So, I email Hannah, the woman behind these beauties, and here's her bio for you:

My name is Hannah Welch ; I was born in Orlando, Florida. When I was 19, I moved to Boston and attended Massachusetts College of Art. I had no clue about seasons or cold weather, and as much as I loved to see the leaves change, I hated the freezing winters. I created the Smitten 10 years ago out of necessity. I was dating a Massachusetts native and unlike me he was acclimated to the cold. I would not leave the house unless completely covered and holding hands through thick gloves seemed impersonal and awkward. Hence the birth of the Smitten!I moved to Los Angeles, California where I obtained my degree in Art History. I lived abroad in Florence, Italy for two years where I studied, worked and learned Italian. Now I am back in Florida making Smittens and looking for ways to return to Europe permanently.

All of my Smitten’s are hand-made and stitched by me. The adorable cards that come with the smitten’s are hand-designed by my father Al Carroll; he is an old school graphic designer (meaning NO Computers, a steady hand, and a lot of patience.) My newest items are called Love Dove totes and can also be found on my Etsy page. The image on the bags is another example of my fathers handy-work.

So, in other words, since you need a Valentine's Day gift for someone, get one of these!!

Friday Find: Vintage Christmas

I know I usually do a Friday Find that is one crafter, site, or organization, but I wanted to spice things up a bit.

I love vintage Christmas stuff! I mean love. I have some vintage push pin ornaments, and they are a close second to all the ones that my kids have made that go on our tree. I am sure that throughout the years I will be adding more to my collection.

Friday Find: Can-O-Worms Composter

I know this isn't really a crafty thing, or even a pretty thing that everyone needs one of just because it's pretty. No, this is something that has been in one of my Kaboodle wishlists for quite sometime, and now that we are homeowners, this beaut may just be entering my backyard soon.

This is the Can-O-Worms Composter. How stinkin' cool is that! I think that the one thing that truly sold me on this item is that it advertises that it is odorless, oh a word that I really really like considering I have 3 in diapers, still...

On the other hand, could you really imagine keeping this thing in your kitchen?

The website that sells this is Abundant Earth. They have tons of other cool stuff made from recycled materials like: plastic outdoor furniture, animal sculptures, and even super cool tire swings.

Friday Find: One Pretty Thing

This one is for anyone who likes to craft, how-to, brainstorm, etc., etc.

I love love One Pretty Thing! Can I say love just one more time??

Each day, and sometimes more than once, this site has an entire page of DIY goodies. That's right, EACH DAY! Their pages have themes too... oh the goodness...

I really wanted to give an example of their goodies, but don't want to steal any of their graphics, ideas, whatnot. With that being said, you need to check out their site!!!

Friday Find: PickYourOwn.org

This site I chose for this weeks Friday Find isn't all that pretty, fancy, or interesting. But, it is AWESOME!!

Pickyourown.org is a website that has tons and tons of information on getting and storing local produce.

You can search for local farms all over the USA here.

You can find tips and information on freezing or canning here.

They even have tips for picking, what books to reference or buy, and where to find canning equipment and supplies.

I love this site, especially since if I go to visit family, I can even find farms near them!

Friday Find: Greyson's Gift- Crafters Needed!

The woman behind Greyson's Gift explains it best:

~Posted by Meryntha~

"I am looking for your help. Hospitals all across the country are in need of small, very small, baby blankets. In cases of fetal demise, babies are so tiny, even the smallest nursery blanket is much too big to wrap around their tiny bodies.

I know how parents feel when they are presented with their tiny baby, for the first and last time. Having to deal with a large blanket that doesn't fit, is a distraction. And, unnecessary.

If you can sew or crotchet/knit, would you please help me to supply blankets for these mothers?

My doctor informed me that 30% of all pregnancies end in fetal demise!"


I came across a fellow blogger who found this service project, her name is Kari over at UCreate.

I know that I usually post my Friday Finds about a crafter, or website, but this week I felt that this charitable service project was definitely post-worthy!

This woman's story is one that, for some, is all too close to home, and yet for others, they can't even imagine. I fall into the can't even imagine category, and I am thankful continually for that. But, for all those women who have had to go through something like this, I just want to say, you are amazing and strong!

Friday Find: Bugga Bugs

First I would like to apologize for no Friday Find post last week. Since it was 9/11, I decided to treat it as a holiday day and remember. Thanks for understanding.

With that being said, I am so very excited about this week's Friday Find!

Have you seen all those copious amounts of adorable felt food toys around? Well the people behind Bugga Bugs has thought of it all!! They offer patterns for tons and tons of food items, toys, and even kitchen goods too!

Friday Find: Not So Idle Hands

I came upon this site, Not So Idle Hands, looking at someone else's blog actually, but saw how awesome it was, so it's now a Friday Find!

Wow, this tutorial is pretty awesome! It shows you how to make faux make-ups for little girls. LOVE, love it!
Here's another cool tutorial she's got, i's called "Be" Blocks.

Friday Find: Deal Seeking Mom

Yes, I know there are a ba-gillion coupon and savings blogs out there, but I have just recently found this one, and am quite fond. It is the Deal Seeking Mom blog.

This blog has tons of stuff, from indexes of coupons (here) to even matching up coupons you can print from them to the weekly adds of local grocery stores (here). There is even a section/link to free samples you can order from various companies. Can you say awesome?

Not only that, but this site has coupons ranging from Victoria Secret to Go-Gurt. Now, what mom doesn't need a little of both those things ;)

Friday Find: Pogibabies

I saw this hat quite a while ago and fell in love with it. I even asked the shop owner if she could make it in my size, but babies only :(But, now that I have another little girl, I can promise I will be buying one of these!!

Check out her shop, Pogibabies, she's got some awesome stuff.

Friday Find: Bakerella

Oh my goodness. I know that I posted about her Pie on a Stick recently, but seriously, I think I need to make just about everything this woman blogs about!! I do believe I have found someone who has a love for pound cake just about as much as I do. Whomever is behind Bakerella is simply genius!

Just look at some on the things she hast posted about:These "meals" are cupcakes, brownies, and cookies!! I WILL be making these soon (and gaining at least 5 lbs. making/devouring them).

If this were my blog, and I was anywhere near this talented in the desserts arena, I think I would weigh like 300 pounds, and I am not kidding...

Friday Find: Vintage Chenile

Yay, another super cute crafter to be the next Friday Find! I came across this Etsy-er when I was participating in the Online Baby Shower that I found (another post for another day:) ). I fell in love with her stuffed toys!

The shop's name is Vintage Chenille, and here are just a few of her cuties: